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| || The Past || Don't Miss || Yatra || When to Go || Getting There || |
| Associated with the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a revered Sikh Gurudwara and one of the most visited Sikh holy places. For eight months of the year, the Lokpal Lake, on which, the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is situated remains frozen, after which it melts in the monsoons and meadows of wildflowers colour its banks. Encircled by the Saptashringa Peaks (seven snow-clad peaks), which are collectively called Hemkund Parvat, it mirrors its surroundings on the crystal-clear waters. The lake is the source of the Laxman Ganga (also called Hem Ganga) stream that merges with the Pushpawati stream flowing from the Valley of Flowers. From this point on, the river is called Laxman Ganga. |
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| Situated in the Valley of Flowers, this Sikh holy place is visited not only by the Sikhs, but by people of all faiths and religions. A Lakshman temple close by is a popular place of Hindu pilgrimage. A very popular trekking destination, Hemkund is a 15 km trek from Gobindghat. The trek takes one through pine forests where rhododendron, wild roses, ferns and alpine flowers abound. | ||
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As mentioned in the holy Granth Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
Guru of the Sikh faith had meditated on the bank of this lake in one of his earlier births. It is widely believed among Sikhs
that Guru Gobind Singh introduced the features now universally associated with Sikhism. In 1699, he started the new brotherhood
called the Khalsa (meaning the pure). The five K's' associated with Sikhism date from this period: kesh (uncut hair) kangha
(comb), kirpan (dagger or short sword), kara (steel bangle), and kachh (shorts). Hemkund Sahib, one of the most renowed Sikh holy places was discovered by two devout Sikhs, Sant Solan Singh and Havaldar Mohan Singh by the details provided in Guru Gobind Singh’s autobiography, and despite its ancient connections, became a major pilgrimage centre only after 1930. |
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One
of the most revered Sikh holy places, the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, the world’s highest Gurudwara,
situated at an altitude of 4,329 mts above sea level, on the bank of the Lokpal Lake, denotes the place where Guru Gobind
Singh the 10th and the last Sikh Guru unified with God after prolonged meditation. The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a grand star shaped structure
of stone and masonry at the edge of the lake whose crystal clear water mirrors the image of the seven peaks that surround it.
Streams from Hati Parvat and Sapt Rishi Peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of it. |
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On the banks of the Hemkund lake stands the Lakshman Temple (also known as Lokpal Temple). It is believed that Lakshman had meditated at this place and the mythical Sanjeevani Buti that cured Lakshman after Meghnad wounded him during a battle is also said to have been found in the vicinity. So, the Lakshman Temple is considered as one of the famous Hindu pilgrimage sites.  | ||
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The pilgrimage generally begins at Gobindghat, situated between Joshimath and
Badrinath. From the bridge across the Alakananda (at Gobindghat), it is 14 km to the next settlement, Ghangharia, or Gobind Dham
as the Sikhs call it. The trek runs all along the Bhyundyar Ganga, ascending and descending at regular intervals. One bypasses
varied forest with different species of trees and several meadows covered with dandelions. The forest floor is thick with ferns
and huge rocks covered with several types of moss. The walk, though difficult, is nonetheless refreshing as the pristine
beauty of the mountains and springtime flowers flaunt their breathtaking beauty.
From Ghangharia, Hemkund Sahib is only 5 km away. However, the journey is quite grueling because of a sharp gradient. The
trek from here to Hemkund takes you through forests of pine and rhododendron where wild roses, ferns, and alpine flowers
bloom. Also visible here are the swelling waters of the Lakshman Ganga. |
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The high altitude of Hemkund makes the climate very cold. Therefore, the best time to take a pilgrimage tour to Hemkund Sahib is between
the months of July and September when the weather is relatively pleasant and the flowers are in full bloom. However, it is essential
to carry woollens and good sturdy trekking shoes. |
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Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun, 268 km from Hemkund Sahib via Gobindghat
and Rishikesh, is the nearest airport. |
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Rishikesh Railway Station, 189 km from Hemkund and 170 km from Gobindghat,
is the closest railhead. | |
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To reach Hemkund, one has to reach Gobindghat, from a trek for
two days has to be undertaken. Hemkund, via Badrinath, is 514 km away from Delhi. Delhi Transport Corporation and Uttar Pradesh
Roadways buses regularly ply up to Rishikesh from the Interstate Bus Terminus in Delhi. Gobindghat is 20 km beyond Joshimath
on the road to Badrinath and 4 km before Pandukeshwar, the point at which there is a diversion for Hemkund and the Valley of
Flowers. |
